York, PA- The Ethiopian Express came into York last
year; this year it was the Ethiopian Invasion at
the 31st York White Rose Five Mile Run held November 10.

Sydney Olympians Dagne Alemu and Girma Tolla broke free
of the others early in the race and had a great two-man duel
to the finish. Alemu won in 23:49, Tolla was second in
23:52.

Alemu ran the Olympic 5000 in Sydney, Tolla ran the 10,000
and recently won the half-marathon at the Under Armour Baltimore
Half-Marathon. Gurmessa Megerssa took third with a solid
24:23. Ethiopian runners took the top six spots.
Drew Nesbitt (25:42) of East Petersburg, PA was the first USA
runner, 7th overall. Masters runner Jeff Miller of
Lewistown, PA was 9th overall in 26:30, a full minute up on hometown
Masters star Greg Cauller (14th, 27:36).

The women's field was the deepest in the 31-year history of
the race, as nine women broke the 30 minute mark. Aziza
Aliyu of Ethiopia won a close race in 27:45, just three seconds
up on Alemtsehay Misganaw (27:48), an Ethiopian citizen who lives
in New York City. Ethiopian women took seven of the
top eight spots. A strong race by Aimee Taylor of nearby
Spring Grove, PA. placed her 6th with a 28:50, becoming only
the 4th York County woman ever to run under 29 minutes.
Dee Miller of Conestoga, PA won the Masters title in 34:10, just
six seconds up on York's great Masters star Dianna Golden (34:16).
Golden, at 54, continues to run consistent and strong in the
region's big races.

The event is designed for runners of all abilities, with a reasonable
but challenging hill midway through the race. The course
starts and finishes in downtown York, which has been revitalized
in recent years. Many thanks go out to all the participants,
the volunteers, and sponsors. Special thanks to the Harp
& Fiddle (my favorite Irish pub) who hosted the awards ceremony. Next
year's planning could bring a course change, but we shall see.